Draft EIR finds demolition of Portola greenhouses would be a significant, unavoidable impact

Planning Department staff presented the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the proposed 770 Wolsey Street project (Portola) on July 29, 2021, and sought public comment on its adequacy. The Draft EIR finds the site individually eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources as a rare vernacular family‑operated nursery and concludes demolition of the greenhouses would result in a substantial adverse change to the historic resources on the site.

Jenny DeLumo, environmental coordinator, summarized the document and its alternatives. "The Draft EIR concluded that the demolition of all the greenhouses and associated structures on the site and the proposed new construction would result in a substantial adverse change to the significance of the historic resources on the project site," DeLumo said. The draft lists mitigation measures — documentation, salvage, on‑site interpretive displays and retention of existing rose plants — but staff concluded the historic‑resource impacts would remain significant and unavoidable.

The project sponsor proposes 62 residential dwelling units, 62 vehicle parking spaces, bicycle parking and approximately 11,210 sq ft of private common open space and 17,170 sq ft of publicly accessible open space; alternatives evaluated included a full‑preservation alternative yielding about 24 units and about 1.45 acres of publicly accessible open space.

Public commenters largely urged preservation. Carol Miller, a Portola community member, told commissioners she supports new housing generally but opposes development on this site because the proposed project would destroy a piece of Portola’s history and provide little truly affordable housing. Another commenter described the site as a working‑class farm and urged the commission to retain the greenhouses as a community asset.

Staff noted the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed the Draft EIR and found the analysis and mitigation measures to be adequate and appropriate. The public review period for the Draft EIR closes Aug. 9, 2021; staff will respond to public and written comments in a responses‑to‑comments document that would be released with a final EIR if the project proceeds.